I messed up and got scammed out of $226 [EDIT: Or not?]

[Deactivated] on 04/05/2014 - 22:00
Last edited 07/05/2014 - 19:46 by 1 other user

Long story short, on Thursday someone on gumtree said they had concert tickets, asked if I could pick them up. I said I couldn't as I lived a few hours away, they said no problem, if I add another $6 they could post them. There were a few things that made this look legitimate (mainly that they were willing to meet up so it really looked like they had the tickets), and my girlfriend is going crazy for these tickets and I told her I'd try to get some for her for her birthday… So I did a bank transfer and sent this girl the money.

The next day, I didn't get the tracking number I was promised, and since then the phone has been off every time I've tried to call it. She did say I'd receive it Monday, so there's still a chance that I'll receive it, but it's looking very, very slim.

Is there anything I can do? I knew the risk when I did it, and if I do just have to cop the loss, so be it, but I have her name (possible alias…), email, phone number, suburb and bank details, so I'm hoping that something can be done.

EDIT: BSB was 880100… it's prepaid Visa cards. I got scammed 100%.

Will the cops help? You need ID to register a prepaid SIM, right?

EDIT 2: So, I don't know how this happened, but the money is back in my account, minus a $2.50 "return fee" from the bank. I have no idea.

General Discussion

Comments

  • CI on 04/05/2014 - 22:04
    +63

    C'mon man you should know better, you makin us all feel bad

    • huntress_love on 06/05/2014 - 18:30
      +4

      Personally for anything over $50 I'd sent the funds via paypal and offer to pay the fees.
      Money transfer there's no hope!

      • RedSky on 07/05/2014 - 22:13

        PayPal offers a false sense of security against someone who knows how it works.

        You pay into it, they withdraw to their account and then dissociate all payment from PayPal. PayPal then has nothing to reverse and they certainly won't cover it themselves.

    • alizzan on 07/05/2014 - 12:54
      +4

      And probably the first time in a while someone has posted on the forums and actually admitted doing a silly/wrong thing, rather than hiding half the story and placing blame on everyone else.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2014 - 22:17
    +222

    If you pay me $250, I will be able to track this person down for you and get you a refund. This amount will be held in an escrow account, in case you are unsure. I am a marine biologist who works offshore, so I cannot accept the money in person. Also I am a lawyer part time, acting on the behalf of a Nigerian prince, who has died and left you the sole benefactor of his will. All that is required is a further $1000 to be deposited into the same escrow account, to access the $50 million bequeathed to you. What a fortuitous coincidence that you happened to start a thread so I could find you.

    • King Steuart on 04/05/2014 - 23:09
      +30

      You've got me convinced. Where do I sign?

    • yjm on 05/05/2014 - 18:09

      Sounds pretty good. Can we meet face to face?

      • spoonmugen on 05/05/2014 - 18:55
        +12

        he's a marine biologist whos' not based locally - didnt you read?

        • yjm on 05/05/2014 - 22:50
          -2

          Ah right, too bad. No face-to-face meet-up, no deal.

        • abbztract on 06/05/2014 - 22:24

          Thanks mate. I'll take the $50 million then.

      • wtfnodeal on 07/05/2014 - 16:08

        Sounds more like "in your face"

    • orrinxu on 06/05/2014 - 10:50

      i read the first two sentences and thought "wow a good Samaritan!". Then i read the rest and wondered why OP was so lucky to get this deal considering he got conned $250.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2014 - 16:53

      Can you post the account number? I'll do it tommorrow

    • kpax on 06/05/2014 - 17:58
      +3

      Well you missd out on one crucial detail.

      You needed a few cilly spelling mistakes that veeded out the smart folks from kontacting you. Only the not so smart ones override these signals and still make contact.

      the scammers want the truly gullible and don't want to vaste time engaging with the smart folk.

    • torit on 06/05/2014 - 19:25
      +1

      Shut up and take my money!

    • sim36 on 22/05/2014 - 11:50

      Careful here, I've heard on the internet that some people who claim to be a "Marine Biologist" may in fact be otherwise, George Costanza and Steve Zissou case in point.

  • m00c0w on 04/05/2014 - 22:25
    +2

    Try calling up your bank and explaining the situation. If your with the same bank as that person they may be able to do something for you. I've had money deposited into the wrong account on occasions and I've been able to get the money back without any issues.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2014 - 23:13

      I'm not with the same bank.

      • Cheeper on 05/05/2014 - 01:15
        +9

        No reason why you cant go and ask them asap.

    • baskets2k on 05/05/2014 - 17:15
      +3

      The bank may be able to reverse the transaction even if it's a transfer to another bank. Considering it's a potential scam, the bank is more inclined to listen to your case. There may be a charge for the reversal.

      http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/scamHave…

      • Maxxjet on 05/05/2014 - 18:01
        +2

        There is no chance the bank would do a reverse charge because of you alleged your transaction counterpart being a possible fraudster, what if indeed you are the perpetrator trying to deceive the goods and money at the same time ?!. Call the police first but it is a long shot !

        • qwerty on 06/05/2014 - 21:11

          Your bank may help putting a request in for the refund of money

          But since this is to a prepaid card - no chance

        • Tnetennba on 06/05/2014 - 22:30

          Yes, from what I understand, OP's bank can only send a request to the scammer's bank for the scammer to return the money. Almost nil chance of them forcefully returning the money.

        • ChickenTalon on 07/05/2014 - 09:45

          This is correct.
          Bank A (where the money was transfered from) needs to ask Bank B (the bank who rec'd the money) if they can ask the account holder who rec'd the money for the money back.

          no chance of this happening if it was a scam

    • pascal03 on 06/05/2014 - 11:31

      The bank will not help in this instance as the transfer was done legitimately in their eyes.

      Even if the sender was using the same bank or even different bank as the scammer, the bank still needs to call the scammer and ask for permission to take the funds out. All the scammer needs to say is NO and that's the end of it.

      The bank won't release any information on the scammer for privacy laws. Only the police with a warrant/subpeona can obtain information.

      But even trying to get help from the police is slim in this case. They see these cases day in day out, and they will just tell you buyer beware.

      The truth is, this will have to be chalked up to live and learn. OP should have known better specially from Gumtree…

      I work for a bank and have some idea of what can and can't be done.

      • 01011010 on 07/05/2014 - 08:57
        +1

        strange though, that if a bank accidentally puts money into your account, that it doesn't have to call you first to take it out!

        • pascal03 on 07/05/2014 - 12:03
          +1

          Agree, it's a messed up system we live in.

          I like the saying "Give a man a gun and he can rob a bank, but give a man a bank and he can rob everyone else".

  • STRAPIFY Watch Strap on 04/05/2014 - 22:28
    +13

    What I normally do is I pretend that I will pick it up at their address. Once they've disclosed their address, just tell them you can't pick it up anymore because you're busy. This will form one layer of security before getting scammed.

    You can also try Google search their mobile number or typing it in Facebook.

    • mlionel20 on 05/05/2014 - 20:48

      then how will you collect it from them eventually?

      • aeoz on 06/05/2014 - 08:41

        Meetup somewhere.

    • STRAPIFY Watch Strap on 08/05/2014 - 07:52

      You can always get it delivered depending on what the good is.

      I've used Gumtree quite a bit and am yet to be scammed.

  • BanannaMan on 04/05/2014 - 22:32
    +2

    or ask friends that work for Telco's lol

  • derpdeder on 04/05/2014 - 22:36
    +6

    Just because you've been unable to contact them does not mean you've been scammed. Really, so far they have only forgotten to send you a tracking number, which if it is an express post envelope, is pretty useless anyway. These are only used if your item goes missing or you need to make an express post guarantee claim.

    Wait until the post comes tomorrow then stress. Your funds would have cleared overnight Thursday and they posted Friday for a Monday delivery. Taking a step back, everything seems to be fine.

  • lololo on 04/05/2014 - 22:59
    +1

    some women are very clumsy with their phones. it's too early to panic.

    wait 2-3 days. if nothing received and no communication from the seller - call your bank and open a dispute; then go to police - they will track her down

    • King Steuart on 04/05/2014 - 23:12
      +3

      Police can take a statement but there is no crime here if she has posted the tickets. It's her word against his so it's a civil matter for the courts. He wasn't forced to transfer money.

      • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2014 - 23:22

        She has no proof she did though. I have records saying she would send me tickets AND a tracking number. It doesn't take much to see that there are neither of them.

        • lololo on 04/05/2014 - 23:35
          +1

          what is BSB of her account?

        • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2014 - 23:49

          Why?

        • cwongtech on 04/05/2014 - 23:55
          +5

          Using BSB Lookup will only allow you to see which bank and which bank branch her account was opened from. Not going to do much unfortunately.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2014 - 23:58

          I just looked it up. It's a prepaid visa. I got scammed.

        • lololo on 05/05/2014 - 00:02
          +2

          Just to see if it's "normal" bank account. Check here http://www.bsbnumbers.com/

          I would be concerned is the Branch was far from her area (different state, etc). Or if it was a prepaid card from Austpost.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2014 - 00:54
          +1

          It's a prepaid card.

      • lololo on 04/05/2014 - 23:25
        +1

        IF she posted she would have a tracking number and/or receipt from the post office. And there is no "her word" as noodlesfordaddy is unable to contact her.

        He just have to wait few days to see what's happening.

    • No ONE on 05/05/2014 - 12:27
      +4

      The police is useless as shit. I have been in this situation and got scammed by Michael G Shelton (google him) iPhone 4 sale. Police said we don't deal with it and was told to go see a legal aid.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2014 - 16:44
      +5

      some women are very clumsy with their phones

      Is that you, Tony Abbott? ;-p

  • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2014 - 23:50
    +1

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1955042

    Yeah, I definitely got scammed.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2014 - 00:24
    +21

    Unlucky mate. We've all taken a blow here and there. Just try and justify it with pretending you got a large speeding fine, or something. It's extremely frustrating and demoralising, but you move on.

  • zrach on 05/05/2014 - 00:25
    +3

    Scumtree

  • cwongtech on 05/05/2014 - 02:37
    +2

    Will the cops help? You need ID to register a prepaid SIM, right?

    Not always. You can put random crap into some prepaid sim ID checkers and they will accept it.
    I've done it before a while ago (for free smsglobal accounts like a year ago).

    For gumtree you have to be VERY cautious, meet up at a public place so you don't get mugged, don't have money on hand (get a friend waiting around the corner with it) after you've checked out the goods first.

    • sandsay on 05/05/2014 - 04:31

      I've always gone alone, with cash on me for gumtree transactions. Though I am alert.

  • tomwood on 05/05/2014 - 03:53

    Can't you speak to your bank who can do some investigation and possibly recover the funds/reverse the transaction?

  • sandsay on 05/05/2014 - 04:27
    +1

    A friend of mine got scammed out of a couple of hundreds on gumtree as well. I never understood,how can you transfer the money to the person without seeing and receiving the goods in person.

    I've done all my gumtree transactions in person.

    • cuteseal on 05/05/2014 - 12:09

      It's easier than you think. I too was scammed a few years back - $400 for an iphone - which in hindsight was too good to be true. What deceived me was the seller supplied photocopies of "his" drivers license and work ID badge, which turned out to be phony.

      Learnt my lesson and now like you, I do everything in person now, at a busy public meeting place.

      • sandsay on 08/05/2014 - 21:04

        I guess it depends on your disposable income, for amount like $400 is a large sum of money to spend in one go so I'm very cautious of getting a good value for that money. Probably only a wealthy person can spend that much on an item without much thought.

        Who the hell sends a copy of their driver's license for a online transaction? Fishy just because of that.

    • Infraction on 06/05/2014 - 17:56
      +1

      Some courier services will hold the item until the seller confirms you have paid and it can be released, plus send you a photo of what the seller dropped off before you pay. I needed something rare and expensive from gumtree interstate and used this method (Requires the cooperation of the seller dropping it off to the courier before payment, which if they're not a scammer shouldn't be a big issue).

  • eatwell365 on 05/05/2014 - 06:37

    Thought ID is required for the registration of a Prepaid Card. Would police be able to help?

  • Windows7forever on 05/05/2014 - 07:34

    Ouch!

  • daidragon12 on 05/05/2014 - 07:47
    +5

    I just got scam $600, the way u did. I bought a flight centre gift card that supposedly got $3000, but paid $2600. He send me the details and all it has was $2000. He insisted later that it had $3000, but when i personally checked with FC, they said $1000 was redeemed 2 months before. He severed all the comm after that. I have his ID (driver's lic) and a bill with his name attached to it. I reported him to police and police called him (which he responded and said he will contact me to sort the thgs out). But it has been 4 days now without any news. I called, texted him numerous times but been ignored. I have all the hard evidences (statement from FC, conversation from 100% through email and texts) but the police seems quite reluctant to file it under criminal investigation. It somehow really made me depressed since it'd be so easy to fobd him, yet he is smiling happily somewhere

    • altomic on 05/05/2014 - 16:50

      go back to the police and tell them that he has stolen money from you and that you would like to make an official report.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2014 - 16:51
      +6

      Keep pushing them. I bought a $500 gift card off ebay. Seller scammed me and a few others the same way. All reported to the police. Seller was in a different state. She contacts me and claims her sister stole her ebay password. NSW police took details from me for VIC police. VIC police took seller to court. I received partial refund from Paypal, but 6 months later a check from the seller came too. I wound up making about $50.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2014 - 17:09

      Go to district or area police station, not local one, and ask to speak to the station commander, make a bit of fuss but not too much (dont get yourself arrested :), ask why they are not doing anything as it was clearly theft/fraud and you have supporting evidence.

      You could even drop the comment that police regularly attend coles & big w, for thefts of under $10, and take offenders back to the station for interview/caution, wasting valuable resources. This is because they have to respond to every complaint, and here you are making a complaint and not bring heard.

      Also, If you have details, you can make a civil claim through magistrates court (get legal aid so the case does not cost you more than the loss)

      This advice comes from a copper I know.

  • Karsta on 05/05/2014 - 07:53

    Get in contact with gumtree they will provide you with that persons info etc… I've heard of many people doing this so get in quick before they change their details. Cheers.

  • eneloop on 05/05/2014 - 08:00
    +33

    I always take my cousins with me.

    Ps, I'm Lebanese

    • mafmouf on 05/05/2014 - 12:30
      +30

      Do you really need 700 people going with you? I guess so.

      • cheng2008 on 05/05/2014 - 18:55
        +8

        In case the seller comes with his 695 cousins.

        • mafmouf on 06/05/2014 - 09:36
          +14

          Plot twist, they're all cousins of each other.

  • shaybisc on 05/05/2014 - 08:24
    -1

    I don't understand how Gumtree works. I have only ever bought one (inexpensive) thing that way and I was completely unprotected, relying only on the honesty of the seller. The seller was protected- he didn't have to post until he was paid.

    I am not in a hurry to buy anything else that way even though I got the item.

    Is it meant to be an inner-city thing where the buyer and seller meet face to face?

    • Ughhh on 05/05/2014 - 13:04

      Is it meant to be an inner-city thing where the buyer and seller meet face to face?

      Seriously? I suggest you look up gumtree gumtrees help/FAQ page and look up gumtree on whirlpool.

      • shaybisc on 05/05/2014 - 13:59

        No thanks. Completely uninterested in the Gumtree format. Although I see that Paypal is an option now. I'm guessing that will give buyers zero protection since the rep of the seller is unknown- I will look that up:

        yep- "Currently there is no buyer protection whilst using PayPal as a payment option on Gumtree."

        • oak on 05/05/2014 - 15:06
          +2

          If you use a Credit Card as the PayPal source, you have some protection from your bank.

        • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2014 - 17:17

          Yes should be covered with cc, as paypal is the payee as an authorised merchant, not the seller, required for fraud protection by the banks

      • SydStrand on 06/05/2014 - 13:55

        Gumtree is great for some items and you can always see the it in lerskn before parting with your money. Of course, make sure you meet in a public venue or if you're extremely paranoid, the lobby of a police station.

    • itajac on 05/05/2014 - 13:35

      It's like the old Trading Post :)

      • shaybisc on 06/05/2014 - 09:08

        Ah, I get it- Trading Post.

  • windale on 05/05/2014 - 08:33
    +8

    take the pre-paid visa card number and buy a few things online with it ;)

    • altomic on 05/05/2014 - 16:51

      from an internet cafe

      • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2014 - 17:20

        Not dodgy things though, as most internet cafes have cameras

    • omniX32 on 05/05/2014 - 19:28

      can you charge up your paypal account with it?

  • Wildberry on 05/05/2014 - 08:45

    hello; we all make mistakes the best thing to do if you do not receive the item is go to you're bank and try to get the deposit reversed into you're bank account; best of luck with it.

  • srhardy on 05/05/2014 - 09:46

    PRAY…

  • subywagon on 05/05/2014 - 09:57
    +6

    Is her add still up? Can you contact her via email? If so pretend to be another person wanting to buy the tickets, even offer to pay a little more to get them ASAP as your desperate etc and meet up… then go all Sons of Anarchy on them….

    • cwongtech on 05/05/2014 - 10:43
      +1

      Very good idea.
      Lure them out and call the bikies :)

      • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2014 - 16:53

        Rent a police costume first.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2014 - 00:40

      Ad isn't up :(

  • jendownunder on 05/05/2014 - 11:16
    +7

    Just wanted to say that sucks :( I have sold loads of things on Gumtree and posted them out, infact recently I sold a pair of rollerskates and posted them to the lady then a week later I got a text saying she had accidentaly transferred $100 into my account and would I send it back? Of course I returned it as soon as she asked. So we're not all bad! I've noticed Gumtree now has an option to choose if you accept Paypal when you're listing something for sale.

    • nicksinternet on 06/05/2014 - 20:54

      eBay own Gumtree. Look at the bottom of the Gumtree website and you will see it in the fine print.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2014 - 12:32
    -4

    I cant believe people still get scammed online!

  • Dr Techno on 05/05/2014 - 12:44
    +3

    Automatically when I hear the word Gumtree I would be on my guard.. Never exchange money sight unseen..

  • arislan on 05/05/2014 - 12:51

    Did you report to Gumtree? Maybe report it, explain to them you've been scammed and say if they can provide the private details attached to the ID so you can make a police report?

  • peterw1 on 05/05/2014 - 12:52

    is it worth contacting visa and explaining the situation. Why not give it a try. They could at least block any further transactions

  • apu on 05/05/2014 - 12:53
    +12

    If anything OP, all I can say is thanks for sharing. Your bad experience provides a valuable education for the OzB community.

  • wbeer on 05/05/2014 - 12:59
    +1

    Chalk it down to a learning experience.

  • kiamsup on 05/05/2014 - 13:23
    +10

    For the benefits of OzB community, OzB should setup a "black" list of these scammers. We should check this list before we buy. At least we reduce the risk.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2014 - 13:39

      Great idea. Someone should get his rolling.

    • itajac on 05/05/2014 - 13:43
      +10

      Wouldn't they all just change their details for their next scam?

      • QW3RTY on 05/05/2014 - 14:58
        +5

        This. Different user profile for every new scam.

        What we really need is for people to carefully evaluate the situation before proceeding with a transaction.

      • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2014 - 00:41
        +1

        All we need to do is make sure no one puts money into that BSB.

      • jjayoen on 06/05/2014 - 12:11

        AFAIK when your account gets reported/banned from Gumtree and you make a new one and the same this happens, they blacklist your IP address. Admittedly that means that the scammers can use a service to disguise their IP address and get away with it still.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/05/2014 - 10:13

          Or they're already using an ISP that has dynamic IP.

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